Intelligent illumination thermometer

ABSTRACT

A thermometer includes an illuminated display, which may act as an intelligent indicator of the change and level of temperature. The thermometer includes memory unit accommodating multiple users and their past records respectively. When a new temperature reading is obtained, the thermometer compares the new temperature against the immediate preceding record of the same user. The thermometer further includes a display module indicating the change of temperature reading and the fever status of the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to thermometers, and relates moreparticularly to a thermometer having two units of dual color LED and aprogram therein facilitating indication of change and level oftemperature of each of multiple users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Digital and electronic thermometer is more and more popular nowadays asa mean for conveniently reading the temperature of a human being. It isnow easily accessible by household family.

There are thermometers with signal indicators in the form of sound,digital display module and illumination. Among the digital thermometers,LCD is one of the convenient and economic signal means.

Various thermometers apparatus have been developed and appeared on themarket. In most cases, users will conduct the temperature sensing till abeep sound or other sound signal is activated, indicating the completionof testing. Then, the users may read the temperature reading via theLCD. This method has a draw back of having to take reference of themeaning of the temperature reading before or afterwards. Otherwise, theusers might not capture the full meaning of the new temperature reading.

In some improved thermometers, the users may also read the temperaturereading via the LCD with illumination means such as LED in the dark.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermometer havinga set of switches, enabling the users to control the change of Celsiusdisplay and Fahrenheit display and the change of user 1 and 2.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a thermometerhaving memory means facilitating the record and retrieval of the historyof temperature readings of more than one user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a thermometerhaving a buzzer receiving instruction from the Controller IC and inresponse thereto to give out signal upon a temperature measurement isstarted, completed and completed with invalid result.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide athermometer facilitating the record and retrieval, and comparison of thetemperature readings each of multiple users.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a programallowing user to identify itself and comparing the new temperaturereading 5 and the immediate preceding temperature reading of the sameuser.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide twodual color LED units indicating the upward or downward or unchangedstatus of the new temperature reading against the immediate precedingtemperature reading of the same user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a flashingsignal indicating the seriousness of the fever level when it exceeds apredetermined temperature limit.

The present invention is, in one form, a thermometer incorporates abuzzer that is controlled by a Controller IC. The Controller ICcalculates temperature, drives the LCD and activates the buzzer when anew temperature reading is obtained after the user pressed the startpush button. The buzzer goes off after the loop of reading temperatureis undergoing and gives out another signal when a stable temperature isobtained, upon which the temperature reading is completed. The buzzergives out another signal differing from the sounds indicating start andcomplete of the temperature reading when a temperature outside the rangeof predetermined temperature limits is obtained. In a preferredembodiment, the range is between 90.degree.Fahrenheit and108.degree.Fahrenheit. Alternatively, the display module can also givesout different semantic references indicating the start, complete andinvalid reading of the temperature reading.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the switch activatesController IC selecting first or second memory units. Thereby, the useridentifies itself as either first user or second user. The display unitalso gives out signal allowing the user to ascertain the specified userID and thus the appropriate memory unit is selected. The user may thenretrieve its own history of temperature readings.

In yet another preferred form of the present invention, when a newtemperature reading is obtained, the Controller IC calculates andcompares it against the immediate preceding temperature reading of thesame user. The Controller IC then activates the LED units giving outarrow shape signal showing the upward, downward or unchanged status ofthe temperature of the same user. When the temperature readingincreases, the LED unit points up whilst, the temperature readingdecrease, the LED unit points down.

In an alternate embodiment, the thermometer gives out different colorthrough its display module indicating the status of non-fever and fever.The thermometer also gives out flashing signals through the LED unitswhen it obtains a new temperature reading exceeds a predetermined level.In one form, the predetermined level is set at the level of102.2.degree.Fahrenheit. The user is alerted by the flashing signals ofits severe level of fever and the needs to get immediate medicalattention and treatment.

In a fuller embodiment, the thermometer simultaneously gives outdirectional signal and colored signals showing the change and the levelof the new temperature reading.

The present invention is carried out by an oral contact typethermometer. Alternatively, the present invention is carried out by atympanic infrared type thermometer.

A preferred form of the thermometer, as well as other embodiments,objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of illustrative embodimentsthereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the front view of the present invention in the form of atympanic thermometer.

FIG. 2 is the back view of the tympanic thermometer illustrated in FIG.1.

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c are a top view, side view and bottom view of thetympanic thermometer illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is the front view of the present invention in the form of an oralthermometer.

FIG. 5 is the back view of the oral thermometer illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b, 6 c are a top view, side view and bottom view of theoral thermometer illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a display module of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an example illustrating the two display modules showing 2users temperature history records respectively.

FIG. 9 is two tables showing the memory storage sequence;

FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 10 e, 10 f are the display modulesimplementing operation of new temperature reading and its comparisonagainst the immediate preceding reading.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a program implementing the operation of thethermometer

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of aspects of the thermometer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar parts.While several exemplary embodiments and features of the presentinvention are described herein, modifications, adaptations and otherimplementations are possible, without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. For example, substitutions, additions ormodifications may be made to the components illustrated in the drawings,and the exemplary methods described herein may be modified bysubstituting, reordering or adding steps to the disclosed methods.Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit thepresent invention. Instead, the proper scope of the present invention isdefined by the appended claims.

Initially referring to FIG. 1, a front view of an implementation of thepresent invention in the form of tympanic thermometer is illustrated.This thermometer includes a controller integrated circuit (ControllerIC) that performs the required processing and input/output functions ofthe thermometer. Included within the Controller IC is a microprocessorand program, and all required interface connections. Further, in oneembodiment, the thermometer housing is an elongated section which endsin a thermo-conductive tip and the thermometer houses a temperaturesensing means 38. A liquid crystal display (LCD 11) is coupled to theController IC and provides a display of the temperature and otherinformation received from Controller IC. The thermometer furtherincludes a set of switches. In preferred embodiment, the set of switchincludes start push button 10, memory retrieval button 9, clear memorybutton 3, user select button 1, Celsius/Fahrenheit display button 4,such buttons coupled to the Controller IC. It may be appreciated thatfurther buttons adapted to accommodate more functions are envisaged. Forexample, it may add a delete memory button facilitating the removal ofat least one recorded reading or at least one user identificationrecord. Controller IC is responsive to the momentary press of theaforesaid buttons. A LED backlight means is further coupled to theController IC and provides the desired lighting to LCD 11 when activatedby Controller IC. In a preferred embodiment, the backlight is activatedfor 5 seconds when any button is pressed 16 and upon the temperaturemeasurement is completed. A buzzer coupled to the Controller IC providesaudible signals in response to activation signal received fromController IC. A battery, being covered by a battery cover 2, is coupledto the thermometer to provide power to the thermometer. The thermometerfurther includes a memory means coupled to the Controller IC.

The operation of the thermometer of the present invention is controlledby an algorithm programmed within IC. The flow chart of FIG. 11illustrates an algorithm used in one embodiment of the presentinvention. Initially, the start push button 10 is pressed to initiatethe temperature sensing means 20. The buzzer is simultaneously activatedand delivers a beep sound. The start signal is preferably set for aduration of 0.5 second. It will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that the testing or sampling of the temperature runs repeatedlyuntil a stable peak measurement is obtained. When the temperatureremains constant for the predetermined time, the buzzer is thenactivated again to produce a beep sound, preferably for a durationdiffering and longer than the beep sound for the start measurement. Thisbeep sound upon completion of temperature measurement also indicates avalid result is obtained. Preferably, this beep sound indicating thecompletion of temperature measurement is 1 second. For the situations oftemperature reading after a predetermined time is not obtained orfalling outside a predetermined range 22, preferably, below32.degree.Celsius or above 42.degree.Celsius, the buzzer will give outsignals indicating invalid measurement. Preferably, this beep soundindicating invalid measurement is different from the beep sounds ofstart and complete. In one embodiment, this beep sound indicatinginvalid measurement is the alternate plays of 0.5 second beep and 0.5second silence for three times.

The stable peak temperature will be stored 24 in the memory means 36 anddisplayed on LCD 11. The memory means keep saved 24 records of stablepeak temperature and the program activates the display of saved recordin sequence 19 when the memory retrieval button 9 is pressed 18. The ICwill clear the memory when clear memory button 3 is pressed. Thealgorithm proceeds by determining which one of the Celsius or Fahrenheitdisplay mode is selected. The program then activates the display interms of the selected temperature display mode 12. In a preferredembodiment, the temperature display mode is displayed interchangeably inthat, when the Celsius/Fahrenheit display button 4 is pressed,representing the other mode of temperature display is selected, theother mode of temperature 12 will be calculated and displayedaccordingly.

At the time of displaying the new temperature reading 5 via LCD 11, theIC retrieves the immediate preceding temperature reading of the sameuser stored in the memory means, and compares 26 it against the newtemperature reading 5. FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating theprocessing and display module with the addition of arrow indicator. Whenthe new temperature is above the immediate preceding temperaturereading, an arrow indicator pointing upwards 6 will be activated 28.When the new temperature is below the immediate preceding temperaturereading, an arrow indicator pointing downwards will be activated 29.When the new temperature reading 5 is the same as the immediatepreceding reading, both arrows will be turned on 27. Alternatively,neither arrows will be turned on indicating no change of temperaturereading. In alternative embodiment, the arrow indicators may be replacedby color indicators, combined in one LCD 11 screen display oraccompanied by LCD 11 showing the semantic reference of the changestatus of the temperature reading. Further, when IC detects low battery37, the IC activates the low battery signal 14 alerting user to replacenew battery. Upon detection of no operation of the thermometer for apredetermined time duration, preferably 1 minute, the IC shuts down thepower automatically to save power.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for colorindication mode put on the arrow indicator being automatically initiatedwhen a comparison of the new temperature reading 5 and a predeterminedlevel of temperature reading is conducted. When the temperature reading5 is above 37.5.degree.Celsius or 99.5.degree.Fahrenheit equivalent 32,indicating a fever in the user, the arrow indicator is illuminated in adistinct color. In preferred embodiment, this distinct color is red.When the temperature reading 5 is same or below 37.5.degree.Celsius or99.5.degree.Fahrenheit equivalent, the arrow indicator is illuminated inanother color. In preferred embodiment, this color is green indicatingthe safe level of temperature reading. In this embodiment, the ICperforms an additional test to determine whether the temperature hasexceeded a predetermined threshold value. In a preferred embodiment,when the temperature reading 5 is above 39.degree.Celsius or102.2.degree.Fahrenheit equivalent 30, the color mode is red and thearrow indicator will be flashing 31 indicating the high level oftemperature reading 5 and the immediate need of medical attention andtreatment. In alternative embodiment, the colored arrow indicator andthe LCD 11 could be delivered in one screen.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the thermometer allowsmultiple users to identify themselves; and for illustration purpose, itis described herein the thermometer allows the identification of anumber of two users and the IC stores temperature readings of each userindividually in its designated memory unit. Upon the user select button1 is pressed, the IC will retrieve the past records of the other userand send electronic signal to the corresponding memory unit of such userupon a new temperature is read. In the preferred embodiment, the userselect button 1 is a slide switch. A user may retrieve up to ninerecords of past records of temperature readings 13. FIG. 8 illustratesthe LCD 11 of the stored temperature readings of user 1 and user 2respectively. FIG. 9 illustrates the algorithm of the memory storagesequence. When a new temperature reading 5 is obtained, it will bestored as M1 and each past record will be put forward to the next numberassigned in sequence. The existing M9 will be deleted. This inventionalso is enhanced without compromise by other features such as largernumber of memory units and memory records.

FIG. 10 a illustrates an example that the user 1's new temperaturereading 5 is 98.5.degree.Fahrenheit. Assuming its immediate precedingtemperature reading is lower, then the green up arrow 6 is turned on 33,indicating no fever and upward change of temperature reading.

FIG. 10 b illustrates another example that the user 1's new temperaturereading 5 is 101.7.degree.Fahrenheit. Assuming its immediate precedingtemperature reading is lower, then the red up arrow 6 is turned on 34,indicating fever and upward change of temperature reading.

FIG. 10 c illustrates an example that the user 1's new temperaturereading 5 is 102.9.degree.Fahrenheit. Assuming its immediate precedingtemperature reading is lower, then the red up arrow 6 is turned on andflashing 31, indicating serious fever and upward change of temperaturereading.

FIG. 10 d illustrates an example that the user 1's new temperaturereading 5 is 101.7.degree.Fahrenheit. Assuming its immediate precedingtemperature reading is higher, then the red down arrow 7 is turned on34, indicating fever and downward change of temperature reading.

FIG. 10 e illustrates an example that the user 1's new temperaturereading 5 is 97.6.degree.Fahrenheit. Assuming its immediate precedingtemperature reading is higher, then the green down arrow 7 is turned on33, indicating no fever and downward change of temperature reading.

FIG. 10 f illustrates an example that the user 1's new temperaturereading 5 is 97.6.degree.Fahrenheit. Assuming its immediate precedingtemperature reading is the same, then the green up and down arrows areturned on 27, indicating no fever and no change of temperature reading.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the thermometerof the present invention will allow implementation of the same features,equally suitable for use in the oral thermometer illustrated in FIG. 4,FIG. 5, FIGS. 6 a, b and c.

While certain features and embodiments of the present invention havebeen described, other embodiments of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the embodiments of the invention disclosedherein. It is intended, therefore, that the specification and examplesbe considered as exemplary only, and should not be consideredrestrictive of the scope of the invention, as described and claimed,with a true scope and spirit of the present invention being indicated bythe claims and their full scope of equivalents. Further, features and/orvariations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. Forexample, embodiments of the present invention may be directed to variouscombinations and sub-combinations of the features described in thedetailed description.

1. A thermometer for measuring the temperature of a user, thethermometer comprising: a controller integrated circuit (Controller IC),the Controller IC having a program therein establishing and controllingthe functions of the thermometer including detecting when a newtemperature measurement is started, completed and uncompleted withinvalid temperature reading outside a predetermined range; temperaturesensing means, the temperature sensing means being operatively coupledto the Controller IC and providing an electrical signal to theController IC which corresponds to the temperature proximate to thetemperature sensing means; a liquid crystal display (LCD), the LCD 11being operatively coupled to the Controller IC, receiving electricalsignals from the Controller IC related to a sensed temperature from thetemperature sensing means and converting the electrical signals into anoptical display; the LCD receiving electrical signals from theController IC displaying the specified user ID of the selected user; aLED backlight means, the LED backlight means being operatively coupledto the Controller IC and optically coupled to the LCD, the LED backlightmeans receiving activation signal from the Controller IC and the programactivating the LED backlight means upon detection that any switch ispressed and that a temperature measurement is complete; switches, theswitches being operatively coupled to the Controller IC, the switchescommunicating instructions from a user of the thermometer to theController IC, thereby providing user direction to the program withinthe Controller IC; power means, the power means being operativelycoupled to the Controller IC, the power means controlling power on/offof the thermometer; memory means, the memory means being operativelycoupled to the Controller IC, the memory means receiving electricalsignals from the Controller IC related to a sensed temperature from thetemperature sensing means and recording the sensed temperature; buzzersignal means, the buzzer signal means being operatively coupled to theController IC, the buzzer signal means receiving at least one activationsignal from the Controller IC, the program activating the buzzer signalmeans upon detection that a temperature measurement is started,completed and uncompleted with invalid temperature reading outside apredetermined range.
 2. The thermometer, as defined by claim 1, whereinthe memory means further comprising: first and second memory units, thefirst memory unit receives and records the electrical signals from theController IC related to a sensed temperature of the first user from thetemperature sensing means and the second memory unit receives andrecords the electrical signals from the Controller IC related to asensed temperature of the second user from the temperature sensingmeans, the Controller IC selecting the first memory unit when theController IC receives instruction signal from the switch identifyingthe first user and the Controller IC selecting the second memory unitwhen the Controller IC receives instruction signal from the switchidentifying the second user.
 3. The thermometer, as defined by claim 1,wherein the Controller IC further comprising a program: sendingelectrical signals to the selected memory unit of the memory meansrecording the new temperature reading of an user and comparing the newtemperature reading against the immediate preceding temperature readingof the same user;
 4. The thermometer, as defined by claim 1, wherein theLED backlight means further comprising: two dual color LED units, thetwo dual color LED units receiving activation signals from theController IC, the first dual color LED unit in response to the firstactivation signal and the second dual color LED unit in response to thesecond activation signal, the Controller IC selecting the first dualcolor LED unit when the new temperature reading is higher than theimmediate preceding temperature reading of the same user and theController IC selecting the second dual color LED unit when the newtemperature reading is lower than the immediate preceding temperaturereading of the same user and the Controller IC selecting the first andsecond dual color LED units when the new temperature reading 5 is thesame as the immediate preceding temperature reading of the same user. 5.The thermometer, as defined by claim 4, wherein the two dual color LEDunits are in arrow shape and point to different directions, the firstdual color LED unit is in the upper part of the thermometer and thesecond dual color LED unit is in the lower part of the thermometer.
 6. Athermometer, as defined by claim 1, wherein the LED backlight meansfurther comprises: wherein the predetermined temperature limits aresubstantially equal to 99.5.degree.Fahrenheit; two dual color LED units,the two dual color LED units receiving activation signals from theController IC, the Controller IC selecting the first color lighting whenthe new temperature reading is above 99.5.degree.Fahrenheit and theController IC selecting the second color lighting differing from thefirst color lighting when the new temperature reading is same or below99.5.degree.Fahrenheit.
 7. The thermometer, as defined by claim 1, theLED backlight mean further comprises: wherein the two predeterminedtemperature limits are substantially equal to 99.5.degree.Fahrenheit and102.2.degree.Fahrenheit; the two dual color LED units receivingactivation signals from the Controller IC, the first dual color LED unitin arrow shape pointing upwards 6 and lighting in first color inresponse to the activation signal when the new temperature reading isabove 99.5.degree.Fahrenheit but below 102.2.degree.Fahrenheit and whenthe new temperature reading is higher than the immediate precedingtemperature reading and the first dual color LED unit in arrow shapepointing upwards and lighting in second color differing from the firstcolor in response to the activation signal when the new temperaturereading is same or below 99.5.degree.Fahrenheit and when the newtemperature reading is higher than the immediate preceding temperaturereading; the two dual color LED units receiving activation signals fromthe Controller IC, the second dual color LED unit in arrow shapepointing downwards and lighting in first color in response to theactivation signal when the new temperature reading is above99.5.degree.Fahrenheit and when the new temperature reading is lowerthan the immediate preceding temperature reading and the second dualcolor LED unit in arrow shape pointing downwards and lighting in secondcolor differing from the first color in response to the activationsignal when the new temperature reading is same or below99.5.degree.Fahrenheit and when the new temperature reading is lowerthan the immediate preceding temperature reading; the two dual color LEDunits receiving activation signals from the Controller IC, the first andsecond dual color LED units in arrow shape pointing upwards anddownwards respectively, and lighting in second color differing from thefirst color in response to the activation signal when the newtemperature reading is same or below 99.5.degree.Fahrenheit and when thenew temperature reading is the same as the immediate precedingtemperature reading; the two dual color LED units receiving activationsignals from the Controller IC, the first dual color LED unit in arrowshape pointing upwards and lighting and flashing in first color inresponse to the activation signal when the new temperature reading 5 isabove 102.2.degree.Fahrenheit and when the new temperature reading ishigher than the immediate preceding temperature reading.
 8. Thethermometer, as defined in claim 4 wherein the first color is red andthe second color is green.
 9. A thermometer for measuring thetemperature of a user, the thermometer comprising: a controllerintegrated circuit (Controller IC), the Controller IC having a programtherein establishing and controlling the functions of the thermometer;temperature sensing means, the temperature sensing means beingoperatively coupled to the Controller IC and providing an electricalsignal to the Controller IC which corresponds to the temperatureproximate to the temperature sensing means; a liquid crystal display(LCD), the LCD 11 being operatively coupled to the Controller IC,receiving electrical signals from the Controller IC displaying thespecified user ID of the selected user and further receiving electricalsignals from the Controller IC related to a sensed temperature from thetemperature sensing means and a compared result of new temperaturereading and the immediate preceding temperature reading of the same userand converting the electrical signals into an optical display; a LEDbacklight means, the LED backlight means being operatively coupled tothe Controller IC and optically coupled to the LCD, the LED backlightmeans in arrow shape with pointing direction receiving activation signalfrom the Controller IC and the program activating the LED backlightmeans providing indications of change and level of temperature;switches, the switches being operatively coupled to the Controller IC,the switches communicating instructions from a user of the thermometerto the Controller IC, thereby providing user direction to the programwithin the Controller IC; power means, the power means being operativelycoupled to the Controller IC, the power means controlling power on/offof the thermometer; memory means, the memory means being operativelycoupled to the Controller IC, the memory means receiving electricalsignals from the Controller IC related to a sensed temperature from thetemperature sensing means and recording the electrical signals; thememory means comprising first and second memory units relating to thesensed temperature of the first user and of the second user; buzzersignal means, the buzzer signal means being operatively coupled to theController IC, the buzzer signal means receiving at least one activationsignal from the Controller IC, the program activating the buzzer signalmeans upon detection that a temperature measurement is started,completed and uncompleted with invalid temperature reading outside thepredetermined range; wherein the program sending electrical signals tothe selected memory unit of the memory means recording the newtemperature reading of an user and comparing the new temperature readingagainst the immediate preceding temperature reading of the same user.